6. Dogs by the window

If you continue your journey along Kuninkaankatu, you can see typical Old Rauma houses and windows. You may have already noticed the porcelain dogs sitting by the windows, facing inside or looking outside on the street. Seafaring has been an important source of income for the residents of Rauma, and seamen often brought exotic souvenirs from their trips. Those who travelled to England often brought porcelain, or for example, decorative Staffordshire dogs. In Europe, Staffordshire was known as the centre of ceramic production in the 17th century. The model for the porcelain dogs came from China, where seamen purchased Foo dog statues. The porcelain dogs made in England were modelled after Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Queen Victoria’s favourite breed. These porcelain dogs were sold off cheaply in marketplaces and village shops, where seamen often bought them as well.

In Rauma, as well as in other Finnish seaside towns, the wives of the seamen placed the dogs on windowsills, informing the whereabouts of seamen. When the master of the house was at sea, the dog was faced outwards, longing after its master. It is also believed that this is how the wives signalled their lovers that the road was clear. The dogs were faced inwards when the master of the house returned home.

Longing dogs are often found sitting by the windows. The dogs are made of ___________.